| New York Schools encompass two different worlds: | | | | graduation rates, raise learning standards and increase |
| New York City and New York State. Assessments of | | | | accountability. |
| the two are generally separate since the thriving | | | | Among the issues that New York Schools are dealing |
| metropolis of New York City is a different world from | | | | with are: charter schools, time for instruction and |
| the New York Schools that make up the rest of this | | | | inequity in learning. The last, a learning imbalance, |
| rural and suburban state. | | | | seems to occur during the middle school years. 70% |
| Johanna Duncan-Poitier, recently named senior Deputy | | | | of New York Schools' fourth grade students passed |
| Commissioner of Education | | | | the reading and writing exams, while only 48% of |
| P-16, recently revealed the Board of Regent's plan for | | | | eighth graders passed. This challenge is compounded |
| the New York Schools outside of the city limits. While | | | | by the gap black and Hispanic children face in reaching |
| these New York Schools retain a national reputation | | | | similar achievement goals. |
| for excellence, they still face challenges in educating | | | | One way some New York Schools addressed this |
| the vast and diverse students in its many districts. | | | | challenge was by extending the length of the school |
| Duncan-Poitier announced an unprecedented $1.7 billion | | | | day in 2006. Their results will determine whether other |
| budget that New York Schools will use to improve | | | | schools follow suit. |